Well, the solution depends on what you mean by darkness. Are you talking about being depressed? Or about something outside of yourself that you feel is oppressing you?

A good place to start is with the gifts we have from Nature. Salt is one of the best cleansers and purifiers. I make my own bath salts. Here is a basic recipe you can use:

1 part sea salt
2 parts baking soda
3 parts epsom salt

Mix together and then you can add oils if you like. They smell good (you only need a drop or two) and they have restorative powers themselves. For instance, if you were making a protection bath you could add a drop of rosemary oil, frankincense oil and lavender oil. I buy my oils already made up (because I don't have time to find, buy and mix my own) from a local place. They are on the web too. Let me know if you want a link to their site. They have a huge apothecary and I get almost all my stuff there. You can also add herbs to your bath. However, for what you want, you can easily and effectively start with the plain salt baths. I also recommend the sage. Burn the sage all around your home and yourself.

I also use the wind or ocean waves. If you can be in either, they will push out negativity. You simply visualize the negativity leaving you as the wind or waves pass through you.

In addition to using the bath salts, you want to make the bath itself as pleasant and relaxing as possible. I use candles to do this and maybe even some very soft music if you like. It can be very hard to relax for some poeple. I'm like that. Don't get frustrated if you can't right away. Just visualize the yucky stuff being pulled out of you by the salts. When you get out, drain the tub knowing that all that crap is going down the drain. Do this daily if you need it.

http://www.panpipes.com/oils.htm

I make the salts all the time so if you want some already made up, just email me your address and I'm happy to send some off. I do it all the time for friends.

Always have been, in the literal sense. There was only a short stint in the city and there's no way in Hel I'll ever do that again!

Spiritually, and officially, during a Midsummer ritual 15 years ago. Was raised Atheist, and got into and enjoyed looking into all of the similarities of the various religions, then tracking the stories back to their more original state.

I'm an eclectic shamanic practitioner, and weave various belief systems together. I enjoy and continue to pick up various religious books, and wander my way through them.

you would do that for me? aww thank you so much!!

and being a "pagan" doesnt necessaraly mean doing rites or rituals or any of that stuff...its more an affinty towards a certain way of thinking...observances(solstices/equinoxes) are good to keep you in balance/in tune. so try to remember them

That's right. For the summer solstice I don't do a ritual. I just go to the beach and collect sea shells for my altar. I acknowledge the changing seasons and express my gratitude to the God and Goddess.

You also might look into smudging.

I am a massage therapist and I smudge my workspace after each appt to cleanse the room of bad vibes -- as well as my home.

You can smudge pets and people too!

Here is one link but you can Google all day long and find info. I like to smudge with white sage.

http://www.the7thfire.com/smudging_with_sage.htm

Bedlam gave good advice too, and that is stay in balance year-round by knowing the shifting of the universe by observing the 8 Sabbats (solstices/equinoxes) of Neo Pagan and Wiccan.

http://www.angelfire.com/ny/ReligionAlt64/Page2.html

... and dance naked in the sun!

Well as someone said "ive been Pagan since birth" I served my Country in Georgia as an Open Pagan and caught no end of hell for it, but i kept my Faith and Followed my heart and found that most things come to those who wait.... I just got out of County Jail here in AZ and they had NO church, books, nothin for my Faith so i Practiced in my cell for it was what my heart told me to do. Silver Ravenwolf, Raymond Buckland,and many others are great. Raymond Buckland has a book for beginners called "Raymond Buckland's Ultimate guide to Witchcraft" or in most cases Uncle Bucky's big blue Book" its great for beginners. I've followed my Path for almost 25 years and looked into other faiths to gain Knowledge. Just Remember that if it feels wrong dont do it... and follow your heart.

Bright Blessings to All
WiccanCowboy

I am sorry to hear that you have been through a hard time. We have a Wiccan Priestess locally who goes to the prison out here to minister to the Pagans. It's a good thing. All prisoners should have access to regular spiritual counseling. I hope things are looking up for you.

Only in the moonlight.

omg!!!stop teasing!!!

I became a pagan about two years ago now, and i must say it's made me a much happier person. I know myself better now than i ever did before

I agree! I don't do rituals all the time. I am a solitary and I feel that, like in any religion, as long as your heart is open and you are honest with yourself then that is all you need :) I have been Pagan for about 4 years now and in the beginning I was so worried about doing things the wrong way. Then I met a wonderful woman who taught me that's it's not what I do but what I think, how I feel. All I have to do is think about the Goddess and God with an open heart and be true to them. I realized that was wonderful, a wonderful way to be. So I don't always do the rituals. I go into the woods and smell the flowers and collect rocks and stones. I go to the beach and get bottles of sand. I love being outside and I think that is the best way to start.

Good luck to you :)

Same here - exactly to the letter. I just love how I feel at peace and comfortable in my skin now.

Welcome to the new Pagan members!